The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame would like to pass along a message on behalf of 2011 inductee Don Bohlander, and the Illinois-based not-for-profit organization the Don Bohlander Parkinson’s FundRacers:

The Don Bohlander Parkinson’s FundRacers is a not for profit organization that raises awareness, education and dollars for the fight against Parkinson’s disease. They represent not only Don but the hundreds of others in Central Illinois that suffer from this terrible disease.

On March 7th 2015, 4pm at the Pekin, Il Moose Lodge they are having our 7th annual Pulled Pork for Parkinson’s event. It’s a pulled pork dinner, live auction with raffles, bake sale, good food and a great time. All proceeds of the dinner and other special events in 2014/2015 are donated to Dr. Craig Cady and Bradley University’s Parkinson’s Research Team. They are just shy of $100,000 donated over the past 6 years and would love to have your support. Our 501 (c) 3 number is 45-2639952.

Ways to donate/sponsor:

Become a corporate sponsor for their events. $1000+ Largest logo on shirt, they will hang your banner, numerous mentions during the event, receive a reserved table of 8 including dinner. This sponsorship will also double for the Don Bohlander Tribute race at the Peoria Speedway in April of 2015.

Shirt sponsor- $500 (large logo), $250 (medium logo) or $100 (name on shirt). This doubles as a sponsor for the dinner event at the Moose and at the Don Bohlander Tribute race in April at Peoria Speedway.

Donation of a gift basket/merchandise/gift card to be sold at the dinner as an auction item or raffle item.

Hang their flyer and help spread the word and “like” us on Facebook under Don Bohlander Parkinson’s FundRACERS.

Last September the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame made its annual good will trip to the Knoxville Sprint Car Hall of Fame museum and helped put on the Late Model 101 seminar. In our latest installment, we brought some of Iowa’s greatest dirt late model icons together for an afternoon of stories and history.

As with our past two years, this new seminar is now available on DVD for $12 with $2 for shipping and handling. The whole production clocks in at an hour and a half and features Iowa greats Verlin Eaker, Curt Hansen, Fred Horn, Tom Hearst, Joe Merryfield, Ed Sanger and Ken Walton. All proceeds from this DVD will go towards the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame building fund.

You can see a theatrical trailer for Late Model 101: An Afternoon With Seven Iowa Greats below:

Click here to purchase Late Model 101: An Afternoon with Seven Iowa Greats:

In light of beginning our recent project to expand the Hall of Fame, we have started a GoFundMe fundraiser. Now, with the help of GoFundMe.com, any interested parties can donate directly to our cause for expanding our facility.

All donations are greatly appreciated and go towards preserving the longevity of the Hall of Fame.

December 10, 2014 (Indianapolis, Indiana) – The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame recently announced an entire overhaul of its executive administrative staff. Gerald Newton of Arizona Sport Shirts has been appointed President/Executive Director of the non-profit organization headquartered in Florence, Kentucky. Newton will take over the executive duties established by Hall of Fame founder Bill Holder. Holder will remain on the board and maintain an active role in the group’s future decision making matters. “Bill has done just a magnificent job laying the foundation for the Hall of Fame,” Newton stated. “I am extremely honored and excited to be given the opportunity to take it to its next level.” Newton has chosen announcer and PR professional from the Lucas Oil Late Model Series, James Essex to serve as Vice President for the group. The new Board of Directors will consist of fifteen members which includes: Larry Boos, Kelley Carlton, Tom Deery, Bret Emrick, Tom Helfrich, Jim Klette, Josh King, Tim Lee, Ritchie Lewis, Bob Markos, Brian McLeod, David Poole, Carl Short, Chris Tilley and Terry Young. A twelve member Marketing Committee comprised of a number of the sport’s industry leaders has also been named.

“I am deeply moved by all of the hard work and sincere dedication that Bill Holder and his crew have accomplished. Without his work and vision, there would not have been a Hall of Fame for Late Models. I am honored that they have elected me to take the Hall of Fame forward and work towards even further growth and improvement. There will be exciting new plans unveiled at the Performance Racing Industry Tradeshow & Conference (PRI) and the upcoming months. The number one goal will be to build a bigger building and with that we need help of all types.”

If you are interested in helping with the Hall of Fame or volunteering, please contact Gerald Newton. Parties interested in donating and/or sponsorship can contact any of the names detailed on this release.

The National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame, founded in 2001, has an induction membership of 91 drivers and 39 contributors through its first 14 class selections. Its museum building is located on the grounds of the Florence Speedway located in Walton, Kentucky. Visit the NDLMHoF website located at: www.nationaldirtlatemodelhof.com

Longtime car owner and sponsor Bob Miller of Leburn Kentucky passed away on November 4th at the age of 73. Bob, a member of the 2004 class of the NDLMHoF was a familiar face through out the years at dirt tracks and his Miller Brothers Coal and Hawkeye Trucking logos were forever displayed on the sideboards of many of the sport’s top runners.

The NDLMHoF would like to extend our condolences to Bob’s wife and family. He will be missed.

Earlier this year during the summer racing season, Steve and Joe Kosiski and family held a 50-50 raffle to benefit the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame. A large contribution was made and presented to the Hall at our 2014 Induction Ceremony held in August at Florence Speedway. The contribution was donated to help with the future building fund of the Hall of Fame. Steve and Joe, both current inductees, were joined in the Hall this year by their father Bob, longtime Nebraska late model campaigner. The Hall would like to congratulate the Kosiski family on all three of their inductions, as well as thank them for their support and contribution.

Last weekend at the Dirt Track World Championship held in Portsmouth, Ohio, our 2015 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame class was announced. As always, this year’s class features a wide array of talent from all over the country. Here is a bit of information about our new class:

Skip Arp

The Georgetown, Tennessee racer famous for his #31 race cars began his career at age 15 at the Cleveland, Tennessee Speedway in 1978. Since Arp has driven to close to 300 victories and a number of track titles at Volunteer State tracks such as Atomic and Smoky Mt. He has victories with Hav-A-Tampa, the Southern All-Stars and many other groups and major victories in Fla., Pa., Ky., Wis., Ga., and a number of other states. Arp also known for his driving schools is still active on the ovals today.

Red Droste

Known as the Father of Eastern Iowa dirt racing Lavern Red Droste was a legendary figure in Iowa racing circles and across the Midwest throughout the 1950’s, 60’s and early 70’s. The Waterloo Iowa native compiled close to 700 feature victories and over 30 track season titles in his long and illustrious career. He retired in the mid-1970’s from active racing and passed away in 2011 at age 85.

Curt Hansen

A huge fan favorite across the state of Iowa Hansen began his racing career back in 1964 at the old Nashua Speedway in his home state. The Dike, Iowa native in his popular #9 racers scored over 300 feature victories and took a number of wins and invitationals all across the Midwest, also including Florida and Canada. He was a many time track titlist on the tough eastern Iowa dirt circuit and a 3-time All Iowa points Champion. Hansen retired from active racing in 1981.

Davey Johnson

One of Western Pennsylvania’s most decorated dirt late model racers Johnson, nicknamed “Juice” was a 3-time Renegade STARS national series points champion and is second on the all-time STARS win list with 50 career victories. The Latrobe, Pennsylvania veteran has a long list of achievements including multiple major victories in the Hillbilly 100, the Pittsburgher 100, along with the Jackson 100, the USA Nationals and many more. Johnson is still active behind the wheel today.

Leon Sells

The Mableton, Georgia great began his 35 year career driving for car owner Ed Massey back in 1953. Since, the man nicknamed Slick around race ovals has scored hundreds of victories at places like Lakewood, the Peach Bowl, West Atlanta, Senoia, Dixie, Rome, and Toccoa in his home state and across the Carolinas. Driving his always familiar #77 race cars Sells was a regular with the tough Tri-Racing circuit in the Peach State and also an early member of the legendary NDRA group. He retired from competition back in 1988.

Contributors

Jim Butler – A long time and very popular photographer of dlm racing on a national level from Clearfield Pennsylvania. Jim passed away in 2012.

Al Frieden – Long time car owner and promoter of a number of Iowa dirt tracks for over 25 years. Al passed away in August of 2000.

Wayne Kindness – A journalist for many years, Wayne was also the very popular executive editor of Southern Auto Racing News.

We here at the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame are happy to introduce our new logo, which will be featured on all HoF related media and merchandise. The new logo design comes to us from our great friends over at Arizona Sport Shirts.

On Saturday August 9th, the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame once again took center stage with their induction of their 2014 class prior to the running of the North South 100 at the King’s Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky. Driver inductees Denny Bonebrake, Steve Francis, Bob Kosiski and Ken Walton were on hand to receive their induction accolades generously supplied by Arizona Sport Shirts and Hoosier Midwest. Driver inductee Ed Gibbons’ award was posthumously accepted by his father, son and grandson.

Also in attendance were contributing category inductees Allan Brown of the National Speedway Directory and Iowa race car owners Larry and Penny Eckrich. Former series tech inspector Walter Burson’s honors were presented posthumously to his wife and daughter.

The Hall’s Circle Track Magazine sponsored Sportsman Award was presented to oval track icon Red Farmer, and the RPM Magazine Racer of the Year Award forthe 2013 season was earned by last season’s World of Outlaws Late Model champion, Josh Richards.

Special Lifetime Achievement awards were given to local and regional Pennsylvania champion Luke Hoffner and long time car owner Fred King.

The afternoon’s activities were emceed by Hall of Fame Executive Director Bill Holder, Lucas Oil Series announcer James Essex, Southern All-Stars PR Director Chris Tilley, Dirt on Dirt Editor Michael Rigsby and Hall of Fame Induction Director Bob Markos. Past Hall of Fame Inductees Eddie Carrier Sr., Larry Moore and Carl Short served as the ceremony’s host presenters. It was once again another fine and emotional affair to be long remembered for generations to come.

The Hall of Fame also wishes to thank the many people who helped and contributed raising money at the auction during Hall of Fame weekend. We also wish to thank Michael Doyle for helping make the 50/50 raffle a great success, as well as his many years of assisting during Hall of Fame weekend.

The ceremony was video-taped in its entirety by Steve Gigeous of Sports Plus Video and can be purchased through his website:

Dirt late model legend and 2001 inaugural Class Hall of Famer Larry Moore will be on hand National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame induction weekend August 8th and 9th at the Hall of Fame building on the grounds of the Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky. Moore and his recently released autobiography “On Top Of The World” written by popular motorsports author Dave Argabright will be available throughout the weekend for a personal book signing. The book covers Moore’s illustrious career on the ovals documenting the origins and history of the sport of dirt late model racing.